Spokane to demolish downtown skate park amid crime fears

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A downtown Spokane skate park is set to be demolished starting Aug. 3 due to concern about crime.

The Spokesman-Review reports that city officials began talking about options to replace the Under the Freeway Skatepark several years ago since it has a reputation for attracting graffiti and crime.

The city's parks and recreation division is working with Seattle-based Grindline Inc., a skate park design company, to find a new location. At a meeting in June, attendees decided a new park should go in Riverfront Park.

The city has earmarked $288,000 for the new skate park.

Officials are encouraging visitors to post tributes of their last visits to the park before demotion to social media.